The Uganda boys’ junior golf team was on Monday voted the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) Sports Personality for April. This was during the association’s monthly assembly held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The team won the award because they qualified for the 2023 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup after they finished second at the All Africa Junior Team Championship that was held at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo last month.
To win the award, the boys’ junior golf team beat competition from the women’s national cricket team, Victoria Pearls who were also nominated for the same award after they won the Victoria Series in Kampala last month.
At the USPA assembly, the boys’ junior golf team that was captained by Reagan Joseph Akena collected 165 points whilst the women’s cricket team got 160 points.
Meanwhile, Juma Abiti who was part of the boys’ junior golf team that qualified for the World Cup won the Promising Talent Award, that recognizes an exceptional athlete under the age of 21. He was Uganda’s best overall player at the continental meet and emerged seventh best overall. He shot a gross score of 308 (78, 78, 76, 76) off four rounds at the Lake Victoria Serena event and his consistently contributed to Uganda’s success.
To win the award, Abiti collected 190 points beating Kawempe Muslim Women Football Club 17-year-old forward Shakirah Nyinagahirwa, who garnered 160 points.
Golf was largely talked about at the USPA monthly assembly as golfers Godfrey Nsubuga and Silver Opio were commended for winning the Tanna Memorial Golf Tournament in the amateur and professional categories, respectively. Titus Okong was also commended for winning the Equity Rwenzori Open in Fort Portal.
Also recognised was the Prisons Netball team; they won six games in April to seal a fourth league title. Prisons defeated Weyonje (43-38), UPDF (55-38), UCU (44-33), Busia (77-31), Prisons (50-42) and KCCA (46-41).
The Supportive/Assist award, which recognises an unsung hero, was won by cyclist Aziz Ssempijja for winning the Uganda Open and finishing sixth, respectively, in the Rift Valley Championship in Kenya. He amassed 160 points beating rugby player Arnold Tukei who collected 155 points.
Still at the assembly, USPA Members were taken through an education session on the sport of Mweso, which Hudson Harrison Kyagaba Musoke, the Vice President of the Uganda Mweso Association, conducted.
Sam Ibanda Mugabi, the President of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), graced the assembly and highlighted the need to ensure an enabling environment for media practitioners like USPA. Together with the UPPA, Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Media (UPFM), Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ), and International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IWAT), they have made resolutions to intervene in issues concerning the rights, welfare and security of USPA members.
Meanwhile, USPA announced that this year’s Nile Special Annual Gala will be a two-in-one event. The awards ceremony recognizes Ugandan sports athletes who excel in different disciplines, with the Sports Personality of the Year being the most significant award on the night.
“This year takes a unique twist pairing 2021 and 2022 under the same roof. As a result, the colour, hype and momentum will be immense,” said USPA President Moses Alsayed Lubega. “Expect an audience of over 400 guests to celebrate the most extensive assembly of sport anywhere on the continent.”
“We have opened bids for all partners who intend to support, partner, amplify, and promote the event to give it a befitting occasion,” he added.
